One acquisition closes, another agreement opens

Two acquisitions caught our attention this week: Avaya has closed on its acquisition of Radvision announced earlier this year, while Verizon Communications has announced an agreement to acquire Hughes Telematics Inc.

Avaya's Radvision acquisition is targeted to provide Avaya's customers an interoperable suite of high-definition video collaboration products, along with the ability to integrate multiple mobile devices such as the AppleiPad and devices powered by Google Android. Radvision's enterprise video infrastructure and endpoints are to be integrated with the Avaya Aura unified communications (UC) platform; the two have already have established interoperability between Radvision's SCOPIA endpoints and infrastructure with Avaya Aura, Avaya Flare Experience on the Avaya Desktop Video Device, and Avaya UC 1000 series video endpoints. Radvision will operate as an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Avaya under the Radvision brand.

Turning to the enterprise mobility ecosystem, Verizon plans to acquire Hughes Telematics Inc. (HTI). The move is meant to enhance Verizon's capabilities in the automotive and fleet telematics market and accelerate growth in key vertical segments, including emerging machine-to-machine (M2M) services applications. HTI offers a portfolio of services through its commercial fleet, aftermarket and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) offerings, as well products and services for mHealth providers and users. The merger is expected to close in Q3 2012, and Verizon plans to retain the existing management team, operating the new unit as a subsidiary as part of its Verizon Enterprise Solutions group.

Commenting in a statement, John Stratton, president of Verizon Enterprise Solutions, said, "We expect M2M and telematics to drive significant growth for Verizon and we're taking an important step forward to accelerate solutions that will unlock more opportunities for existing and new HTI and Verizon customers. In powerful combination with Verizon's global IP network, cloud, mobility and security solutions, Hughes Telematics' flexible service-delivery platform has the potential to reach beyond the automotive and transportation realm to create new opportunities in mHealth, asset tracking and home automation."

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